Axially compressible bearing

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a bearing configured to couple a faucet spout to a faucet body. The bearing includes a plurality of fingers extending parallel to a central axis of the bearing. The plurality of fingers is configured to engage with the faucet spout at an intermediate position between a first end of the bearing and a second end of the bearing. The fingers are configured to exert an outward pressure to the faucet spout. The fingers are also configured to compress in a substantially axial direction.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to a bearing used to facilitateassembly of a faucet. More specifically, the present disclosure relatesto a bearing used to engage a faucet spout and a faucet body to allowthe spout to rotate with respect to the body.

Existing faucet assemblies include bearings (e.g., neck adapters,collars, or guide rings) configured to couple the faucet spout to thefaucet body. These bearings include 0-rings, bushings, crush ribs, or acombination thereof to engage the faucet spout and the faucet body. Thedesigns of existing bearings require tight tolerances for the spout andthe body in order to prevent the spout from wobbling relative to thebody, and also to limit the force required to rotate the spout withrespect to the body. The overall performance of the faucet assemblydepends on the tolerances that can be achieved for the spout and thebody. Poor tolerances can result in fitment issues between the spout andthe body and, in some cases, can result in excess friction and wear onthe mating surfaces of the spout and the body.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a bearing. Thebearing is configured to couple a faucet spout to a faucet body. Thebearing includes a plurality of fingers extending along a central axisof the bearing. The plurality of fingers is configured to engage withthe faucet spout at an intermediate position between a first end of thebearing and a second end of the bearing. The fingers are configured toexert an outward pressure to the faucet spout. The fingers areconfigured to compress in a substantially axial direction.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a bearing. Thebearing includes a body including an opening configured to receive afaucet body. The body also includes a plurality of fingers extendingalong a central axis of the body toward a first end of the body. Atleast one of the fingers is configured to engage with a faucet spout atan intermediate position between the first end of the body and a secondend of the body. The fingers are separated by a plurality of slotsextending through the first end of the body.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a faucetassembly. The faucet assembly includes a faucet body, a faucet spout,and a bearing. The bearing is disposed between the faucet spout and thefaucet body. The bearing includes a body defining an opening configuredto receive the faucet body. The body includes a plurality of fingersextending along a central axis of the body toward a first end of thebody. At least one of the fingers is configured to engage with thefaucet spout at an intermediate position between the first end of thebody and a second end of the body. The fingers are separated by aplurality of slots extending through the first end of the body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bearing, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a faucet assembly including the bearing ofFIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the faucet assembly of FIG. 2,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a reproduction of FIG. 3 near a bearing of the faucetassembly.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the bearing of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the bearing of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the bearing of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a top cross-sectional view of the bearing of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a bearing, according to anotherexemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to the figures, a faucet assembly includes a bearingthat couples a faucet spout to a faucet body. The faucet assembly may bea kitchen faucet mounted behind a sink basin or another faucet type. Thebearing is configured to rotatably couple the faucet spout to the faucetbody. The bearing include a plurality of fingers configured to engagewith the faucet spout along an inner surface of the spout. The spoutengages the fingers at an intermediate position (shown by way of exampleas a substantially “central position”) between ends of the bearing. Thefingers are curved away from the faucet body and deform to accommodatethe spout bore and to secure the spout in position with respect to thefaucet body (e.g., to prevent substantially axial movement of the spoutrelative to the body). The compressible fingers allow a greatertolerance range to be used for the spout and the faucet body, which,advantageously, improves part yield and reduces assembly costs.Moreover, because the fingers are configured to deform (e.g., compress)axially (e.g., to press against opposing ends of a post of the faucetbody rather than apply a radial force to the faucet body), friction andwear on the mating bore and shaft are substantially reduced.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the bearing includes crush ribsdisposed at a second end of the bearing. The crush ribs also engage withthe spout. Together, the fingers and crush ribs prevent wobbling of thespout with respect to the faucet body. These and other advantageouslyfeatures with become apparent to those reviewing the present disclosureand figures.

Referring to FIG. 1, a bearing 100 is shown, according to an exemplaryembodiment. The bearing 100 is configured for use with a faucetassembly. The bearing 100 includes a body 102 defining an opening 104extending through a central axis 106 of the bearing 100. The body 102includes a first end 108 and a second end 110 opposite the first end108. As shown in FIG. 1, the bearing 100 includes a plurality of fingers112 extending along the central axis 106 toward the first end 108. Thefingers 112 are separated by a plurality of slots 114 extending throughthe first end 108. The bearing 100 additionally includes a flange 116 atthe second end 110 and a plurality of ribs 118 (e.g., crush ribs, etc.)extending therefrom.

The bearing 100 may be made from a variety of different materials.According to an exemplary embodiment, the bearing 100 is molded (e.g.,injection molded or otherwise formed) from plastic, which allows thebearing 100 to flex and deform in response to an applied force andprevents the bearing 100 from damaging mating surfaces of the faucetassembly when rotated relative to the mating surfaces.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, a faucet assembly 200 is shown, according toan exemplary embodiment. The faucet assembly 200 may be a kitchenfaucet, a bathroom faucet, or the like. The faucet assembly 200 isconfigured to receive water from a water supply conduit (not shown). Thewater supply conduit may be a water supply line inside a household, acommercial property, or another type of building. The water supplyconduit may be configured to supply water at a city water pressure or awell pump pressure. The water supply conduit may be a pipe, tube, orother water delivery mechanism extending from a wall of the building. Insome embodiments, the faucet assembly 200 may be mounted on a rearmounting ledge of a kitchen or bathroom sink (e.g., a single or doublebasin sink, etc.), directly behind a kitchen or bathroom sink, a laundryroom sink, or another suitable location. According to an exemplaryembodiment, the faucet assembly 200 is configured to swivel (e.g., torotate along a plane parallel to an opening of a sink basin, etc.) toprovide water to different parts of a sink basin.

As shown in FIG. 2, the faucet assembly 200 includes the bearing 100, afaucet spout 202, and a faucet body 204. The faucet body 204 may beconfigured to couple the faucet assembly 200 to a countertop or a rearledge of a sink basin. The faucet body 204 may secure the faucetassembly 200 in position relative to the sink basin. As shown in FIG. 2,the faucet body 204 includes a post 206 (e.g., a faucet body post, afaucet body tower, etc.) coaxial with the faucet body 204 and extendingupwardly from the faucet body 204. The post 206 includes an upper ledgeor lip 208 extending radially outward from the post 206, proximate to anupper end of the post 206. A lower ledge 210 projects radially outwardfrom a lower end of the post 206 and circumferentially surrounds thelower end of the post 206.

The bearing 100 is configured to rotatably couple the spout 202 to thefaucet body 204. As shown in FIGS. 3-4, the opening 104 is configured toreceive the post 206. As shown in FIG. 1, a first slot 120 of theplurality of slots 114 extends through the first end 108 of the bearing100 (e.g., through the first end 108 of the body 102 of the bearing100). To install the bearing 100 (see also FIGS. 2 and 4), the bearing100 is stretched or otherwise deformed to widen the opening 104. Thepost 206 is then inserted into the opening 104 through the first slot120. Once installed onto the post 206, the natural shape of the bearing100 prevents the bearing 100 from dislodging from the post 206.

As shown in FIGS. 5-6, the plurality of slots 114 extend through thefirst end 108 of the body 102 and separate the fingers 112 from oneanother. The slots 114 are formed into the body as rectangular cutsoriented parallel to the central axis 106 of the body 102. As shown inFIG. 7, the body 102 includes three slots and three fingers 112. Inother embodiments, the shape, number, and/or arrangement of slots 114may be different. For example, one or more slots may be angled withrespect to the central axis 106. The size of the slots may also bedifferent in various exemplary embodiments.

The opening 104 is sized to facilitate rotation of the bearing 100 withrespect to the post 206. As shown in FIG. 4 (see also FIG. 6), an innerdiameter 122 of the body 102 is approximately the same as an outerdiameter of the post 206. In other embodiments, the inner diameter 122of the body 102 may be smaller than an outer diameter of the post 206.Among other benefits, matching the diameter of the bearing 100 and post206 minimizes damage associated with the bearing 100 moving relative tothe post 206 (e.g., damage/wear due to friction between mating surfacesof the bearing 100 and post 206). According to an exemplary embodiment,the inner diameter 122 of the body 102 is approximately 0.765 in. Inother embodiments with other faucet sizes, the inner diameter 122 of thebody 102 may be different.

As shown in FIGS. 3-4, the bearing 100 is configured to engage with boththe upper lip 208 and the lower ledge 210 of the post 206 to preventaxial movement (e.g., movement parallel to the central axis 106) of thebearing 100 and spout 202 relative to the faucet body 204. The fingers112 are configured to engage with the upper lip 208 of the post 206. Asshown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the fingers 112 are curved substantiallyradially outward and away from the post 206 at a central position 124along the bearing 100 (e.g., a position between the first end 108 andthe second end 110 of the body 102). The fingers 112 curve back towardthe post 206 proximate to the first end 108, where they engage with alower portion of the upper lip 208. At the same time, the second end 110of the body 102 is configured to engage with the lower ledge 210 suchthat any force applied to the fingers 112 will place the post 206 intension.

As shown in FIG. 5 (see also FIGS. 3-4), an uncompressed height 125 ofthe bearing 100 along the central axis 106 (e.g., a height of the body102 without an externally applied force), from the first end 108 to thesecond end 110 of the body 102, is approximately the same as a height ofthe post 206 between the upper lip 208 and the lower ledge 210. Amongother benefits, matching the heights of the mating surfaces of thebearing 100 and faucet body 204 prevents axial movement of the bearing100 relative to the faucet body 204. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG.5, the uncompressed height 125 of the bearing 100 is approximately 1.371in. In various alternative embodiments, the uncompressed height 125 ofthe bearing 100 and/or post 206 may be different.

As shown in FIGS. 3-4, the bearing 100 is configured to engage with thespout 202 in at least two positions, at the central position 124 alongthe body 102 proximate to an outer most portion of the fingers 112, andat the plurality of ribs 118 proximate to the second end 110 of the body102. Among other benefits, using multiple contact points between thebearing 100 and the spout 202 prevents axial movement of the spout 202and prevents the spout 202 from wobbling (e.g., from tilting relative anaxis of the faucet body 204).

The fingers 112 are configured to compress in a substantially axialdirection. The fingers 112 are configured to extend parallel to thecentral axis 106 of the bearing 100 under radial compression (e.g., aforce acting on the fingers 112 normal to the central axis 106 of thebody 102). As shown in FIGS. 3-4, the fingers 112 are curved outwardsuch that a radial gap is formed between the finger 112 and the post 206at the central position 124 along the bearing 100. The fingers 112 areconfigured to engage with an inner surface of the spout 202 at thecentral position. The fingers 112 are configured to exert an outwardpressure to the faucet spout 202 thus compressing the assembly, whichcouples the faucet spout 202 to the faucet body 204. Applying a radialcompressive force on the fingers 112 toward the post 206 deforms thebearing 100 (e.g., acts to increase a height of the bearing 100 parallelto the central axis 106). The radial compressive force imposed by thespout 202 on the bearing 100 increases axial loading between the bearing100 and the post 206, thereby placing the post 206 in tension. Amongother benefits, loading the post 206 axially rather than radiallyprevents a substantial increase in the torque required to swivel thespout 202 relative to the faucet body 204.

As shown in FIG. 6, each one of the fingers 112 includes a curvedportion at the central position 124 along the body 102. In the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 6, the curved portion of each one of the fingers 112is an abrupt (e.g., sharp, etc.) transition between angled edges of thefingers 112. In various alternative embodiments, the shape of thefingers 112 may be different. For example, the curved portion of eachfinger 112 may extend along a radius. Among other benefits, the curvedportion of each finger 112 provides a gradual lead-in to simplifyassembly of the spout 202 onto the faucet body 204 (see also FIG. 4).

The compressible fingers 112 allow the bearing 100 to accommodate alarger tolerance range for both the spout 202 and the faucet body 204.An outer diameter 126 of the fingers 112, at the central position 124along the body 102, is sized to maximize a holding force between thespout 202 and the bearing 100, while also minimizing a force required toassemble the spout 202 onto the bearing 100. According to an exemplaryembodiment, the outer diameter 126 of the fingers 112 (e.g., anuncompressed outer diameter of the fingers 112) is slightly greater thanan inner diameter of the spout 202. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, theouter diameter 126 of the fingers 112 is approximately 1.046 in. Inalternative embodiments, a larger or smaller diameter may be used.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, the bearing 100 includes a plurality of ribs118 disposed at the second end 110 of the bearing 100. As shown in FIGS.4-6, the ribs 118 are radial protrusions configured to engage with thespout 202 proximate to a lower edge of the spout 202. In combinationwith the fingers 112, the ribs 118 can, advantageously, minimize spout202 wobble by stabilizing the spout 202 at multiple points along thelength of the spout bore. According to an exemplary embodiment, the ribs118 include crush ribs configured to deform and bend to accommodate thespout 202.

As shown in FIG. 5, the ribs 118 extend from the second end 110 of thebody 102, parallel to the central axis 106 of the body 102, toward thefirst end 108 of the body 102. The ribs 118 extend axially between thesecond end 110 and a trailing edge of the slots 114. In order to ensurethat the ribs 118 engage with the spout 202, an outer diameter 128 ofthe ribs 118 is greater than in inner diameter of the spout 202 bore. Asshown in FIG. 6, the outer diameter 128 of the ribs 118 is approximately1.021 in. In alternative embodiments, the outer diameter 128 of the ribs118 may be different. It will be appreciated that the number, size, andarrangement of ribs 118 may be modified without departing from theinventive principles disclosed herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-8, the bearing 100 includes a flange 130disposed at the second end 110 of the body 102. As shown in FIGS. 7-8,the flange 130 extends radially outward from the body 102 beyond thefingers 112 and the ribs 118. Among other benefits, the flange 130supports the ribs 118 at the second end 110 of the body 102. As shown inFIGS. 3-4, the flange 130 is configured to engage with both a loweraxial end 212 of the faucet spout 202 and an axial end surface of thefaucet body 204 (e.g., lower ledge 210 as shown in FIG. 4). The flange130 is “sandwiched” or otherwise disposed between the spout 202 and thefaucet body 204, which, advantageously, reduces rotational torque andprevents wear associated with rotational movement of the spout 202 withrespect to the faucet body 204.

The size, shape, and arrangement of features described with reference tothe bearing 100 of FIGS. 1-8 should not be considered limiting. Manyalternatives are possible without departing from the inventive conceptsdisclosed herein. For example, FIG. 9 shows a bearing 300 includingfingers 312 with multiple curved portions Similar to the bearing 100 ofFIGS. 1-8, the fingers 312 of the bearing 300 (FIG. 9) are configured toextend parallel to a central axis of the bearing 300 under compressionfrom the faucet spout 202. Among other benefits, using multiple curvedportions provides improves support of the spout 202 relative to thefaucet body 204.

The bearing, of which various exemplary embodiments are disclosedherein, provides several advantages over existing faucet bearings. Thebearing includes a plurality of fingers configured to engage with afaucet spout between the first and second ends of the bearing. Thefingers are configured to deform under compression from the faucetspout, which, advantageously, reduces frictional wear on the matingsurfaces of the faucet body. Among other benefits, the fingers allow agreater tolerance range to be used for the spout and the faucet body,which improves part yield and reduces manufacturing costs.

As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,”and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony withthe common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art towhich the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should beunderstood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure thatthese terms are intended to allow a description of certain featuresdescribed and claimed without restricting the scope of these features tothe precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms shouldbe interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequentialmodifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimedare considered to be within the scope of the application as recited inthe appended claims.

It should be noted that the term “exemplary” as used herein to describevarious embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments arepossible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possibleembodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that suchembodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

The terms “coupled,” “connected,” and the like, as used herein, mean thejoining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Suchjoining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removableor releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or thetwo members and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two membersor the two members and any additional intermediate members beingattached to one another.

References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,”“above,” “below,” etc.) are merely used to describe the orientation ofvarious elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientationof various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments,and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the presentdisclosure.

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of theapparatus and control system as shown in the various exemplaryembodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments havebeen described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the artwho review this disclosure will readily appreciate that manymodifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions,structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values ofparameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Forexample, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed ofmultiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed orotherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements orpositions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any processor method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternativeembodiments.

Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also bemade in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the variousexemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the presentapplication. For example, any element disclosed in one embodiment may beincorporated or utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bearing configured to couple a faucet spout toa faucet body, the bearing comprising a plurality of fingers extendingsubstantially parallel to a central axis of the bearing, wherein theplurality of fingers is configured to engage with the faucet spout at anintermediate position between a first end of the bearing and a secondend of the bearing, wherein the fingers are configured to exert anoutward pressure to the faucet spout, and wherein the fingers areconfigured to compress in a substantially axial direction.
 2. Thebearing of claim 1, wherein the bearing is configured to couple to apost of the faucet body, and wherein the fingers are configured toengage with an upper lip of the post to prevent axial movement of thebearing relative to the faucet body.
 3. The bearing of claim 1, furthercomprising a plurality of ribs disposed proximate the second end of thebearing, wherein the ribs are configured to engage with the faucetspout.
 4. The bearing of claim 1, further comprising a flange disposedat the second end of the bearing and extending radially outward from thebearing, wherein the flange is configured to engage with both an axialend surface of the faucet spout and an axial end surface of the faucetbody.
 5. The bearing of claim 1, wherein the fingers are curved outwardand away from the central axis of the bearing at the intermediateposition.
 6. The bearing of claim 4, wherein each one of the fingers isformed in a V-shape.
 7. A bearing, comprising: a body defining anopening configured to receive a faucet body, the body comprising: aplurality of fingers extending substantially parallel to a central axisof the body toward a first end of the body, wherein at least one of thefingers is configured to engage with a faucet spout at an intermediateposition between the first end of the body and a second end of the body,and wherein the fingers are separated by a plurality of slots extendingfrom the first end of the body.
 8. The bearing of claim 7, wherein oneof the slots extends through the body from the first end of the bodythrough the second end of the body.
 9. The bearing of claim 7, whereinthe opening is configured to receive a post of the faucet body, whereinthe fingers are configured to engage with an upper lip of the post, andwherein at the same time the second end of the body is configured toengage with a lower ledge of the post.
 10. The bearing of claim 7,further comprising a plurality of ribs disposed proximate the second endof the faucet body, wherein the ribs are configured to engage with thefaucet spout.
 11. The bearing of claim 10, wherein the ribs extend fromthe second end of the body toward the first end, and wherein the ribsare oriented parallel to the central axis of the body.
 12. The bearingof claim 11, wherein a height of the ribs along the central axis of thebody is less than a height of the slots.
 13. The bearing of claim 7,wherein the body further comprises a flange disposed at the second endof the body and extending radially outward from the body, and whereinthe flange is configured to engage with both an axial end surface of thefaucet spout and an axial end surface of the faucet body.
 14. Thebearing of claim 7, wherein the fingers are curved outward and away fromthe central axis of the body at the intermediate position.
 15. Thebearing of claim 14, wherein each one of the fingers is formed in aV-shape.
 16. A faucet assembly, comprising: a faucet body; a faucetspout; and a bearing disposed between the faucet spout and the faucetbody, wherein the bearing comprises: a body defining an openingconfigured to receive the faucet body, wherein the body comprises aplurality of fingers extending along a central axis of the body toward afirst end of the body, wherein at least one of the fingers is configuredto engage with the faucet spout at an intermediate position between thefirst end of the body and a second end of the body, and wherein thefingers are separated by a plurality of slots extending through thefirst end of the body.
 17. The faucet assembly of claim 16, wherein thebearing is coupled to a post of the faucet body, wherein the fingers areconfigured to engage with an upper lip of the post, and wherein at thesame time the second end of the body is configured to engage with alower ledge of the post.
 18. The faucet assembly of claim 16, whereinthe bearing further comprises a plurality of ribs disposed at the secondend of the faucet body, wherein the ribs are configured to engage withthe faucet spout.
 19. The faucet assembly of claim 16, wherein the bodyfurther comprises a flange disposed at the second end of the body andextending radially outward from the body, and wherein the flange isconfigured to engage with both an axial end surface of the faucet spoutand an axial end surface of the faucet body.
 20. The faucet assembly ofclaim 16, wherein the fingers are curved outward and away from thecentral axis of the body at the central position.